Shadi Houshyar
Vice President, Child Welfare Policy
ShadiH[at]firstfocus.net
Shadi serves as First Focus’ Vice President for Child Welfare Policy. She has extensive experience working with families involved in the child welfare system and is particularly interested in the translation of developmental research into effective child welfare and family policy, mental health policy, and government programs, interventions, and prevention practices targeting high-risk families.
Shadi received her PhD in developmental psychology from Yale University, where she worked with children who were maltreated, and concentrated her research on identifying factors that foster resiliency in children exposed to trauma. Shadi’s graduate project involved an evaluation of an intervention program in the state of Connecticut designed to minimize multiple placements, re-abuse, and re-entry into the child welfare system. Her research was recognized by awards from Division 37 of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Section on Maltreatment of Division 37 of APA, and the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students. While at Yale, Shadi served as a Fellow of the Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy.
After graduating, Shadi went on to serve as an AAAS/SRCD Congressional Fellowship in the Senate, working on education and health policy in the Office of Senator Jeff Bingaman (NM). Next, she worked in policy communications and government relations for Burness Communications - a communications firm working exclusively with non-profits and foundations in the health sector. At First Focus, she is leading our efforts on child welfare and mental health policy.
Resources by Shadi Houshyar
- Impact of the President’s FY 2014 Budget Request on Child Welfare Programs
April 17, 2013 - Affordable Care Act (ACA) Coverage for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
January 17, 2013 - Child Welfare in the President’s FY 2013 Budget
February 27, 2012 - Addressing the Health Care Needs of Children in the Child Welfare System
November 1, 2011 - Title IV-E Waivers: Fostering Innovation and Paving the Way to Reform
March 22, 2011 - Title IV-E Waivers: Expanding and Modifying Child Welfare Demonstration Waivers to Promote Flexibility and Foster Innovation
March 9, 2011 - Impact of the President's FY 2012 Budget Request on Child Welfare Programs
February 23, 2011 - Policy Recommendations: Housing Stability
November 16, 2010 - Policy Recommendations: Food Security
November 16, 2010 - First Focus Policy Recommendations: Child Health
November 15, 2010 - A National Council on Children: Renewing Our Vision for America’s Future
October 5, 2010
Blog Posts by Shadi Houshyar
- A Great Campaign Launch for Success Beyond 18
May 6, 2013 - 'Gang's' Immigration Bill Good for Child Welfare
April 18, 2013 - Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Indian Child Welfare Act
April 16, 2013 - An Upcoming Roundtable Discussion: Child Well-being in Foster Care
April 9, 2012 - Playing Politics with the Lives of Florida’s Children
August 1, 2011 - A Spotlight on the Shelby County Office on Early Childhood and Youth
June 14, 2011 - Childhood Asthma: How Data Can Help Us Keep Kids Healthy
June 13, 2011 - NGA Center Takes on Aging Out of Foster Care
January 24, 2011 - New Report Studies the Impact of the Recession on Kids
November 17, 2010 - Pre-Polluted
October 29, 2010 - Recall Nation
October 12, 2010 - What's a "Kid Product" Anyway?
October 4, 2010 - California's New Extension in Foster Care Services
October 1, 2010 - Beetles, BPA and Babies, Oh My!
September 27, 2010 - Make Me BPA Free
September 21, 2010 - New Report Reveals Fewer US Kids in Foster Care
September 1, 2010 - Texas Chemical Spill Proves We're Not Doing Enough to Protect our Children
August 31, 2010 - Casey Family Programs Announces New White Paper Series to Improve Child Welfare
June 22, 2010
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